FLOOR FINISHES

Laminated wood flooring, solid and engineered wood flooring, porcelain tile flooring and carpet are warranted by Andrin against defects in material and workmanship for 1 Year from your possession date Any deficiencies in material and workmanship need to be documented during your Pre-Delivery Orientation

CARING FOR YOUR FLOORING

LAMINATE FLOORING

If your home includes laminate flooring, they are a beautiful addition to your home and have been created to ensure that looking after them is easy Laminate floors are made with the Uniclic® joint technology and are easy to care for The following steps will ensure that your laminate floors will look beautiful for years • Dust mop (with a non-treated, clean mop) or vacuum regularly to remove loose soil • Wipe up spills quickly with cloth or sponge • Clean as required • Never use wet mops, highly acidic or alkaline cleaners, nonrecommended commercial cleaners or polishes, or a treated mop that has been used to clean other floors or furniture • Use floor-protector pads on furniture feet Protect your floor from hard castors on moveable furniture

• Use caution when wearing high heels and keep pets’ nails trimmed

• Use entryway (non-skid, cotton) mats to capture trackedin dirt and soil and clean them regularly Rubber or fiberbacked mats may stain or scratch floor finish • Use a humidifier or dehumidifier to regulate humidity (30% to 60%) and minimize expansion and contraction

This is required to preserve your floor

GAPS DEVELOPING AT ENDS OR ALONG STRIPS OF LAMINATE FLOORING.

Gaps will result in your flooring joints either by normal wear and tear or improper maintenance of adequate ventilation As laminate flooring is made up of individual layers (wood particles/paste) pressed and bonded together, with an image on the surface of the substrate or underlying core layer, it is a normal occurrence, that, if the environmental conditions are too dry, the laminate flooring layers may contract, leaving permanent gaps between the strips or at the perimeter of the room or the area You need to maintain indoor humidity levels through humidification, ventilation, air conditioning or dehumidification to prevent permanent, irreversible damage A hygrometer can be used to monitor indoor humidity levels Areas around heat registers and those exposed to concentrated sunlight may be more susceptible

ENGINEERED & SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING

Here are the basics for maintaining your engineered wood flooring, to keep it beautiful and to make it last: • Never clean your engineered wood floor with a steam mop, water or use a cleaner that is mixed with water Do not use vinegar or bleach on your flooring • Keep floor mats at all entryways to keep dirt and moisture from being tracked on your floor Place walkoff mats at all exterior entrances This will capture much of the harmful dirt before it ever reaches the hardwood floor Shake out, wash and vacuum mats and rugs frequently • Avoid water marks, never let spills of any type remain on the surface of the floor Wipe up spills immediately • Rotate area rugs occasionally to minimize discoloration from sunlight • Use soft protectors under all furniture • Vacuum and sweep your floor as often as required to eliminate dust and debris from your floor This may have to be done on a daily basis, depending on the amount of traffic in your home • When moving heavy furniture or appliances, put a large heavy blanket underneath them to avoid scratches and dents

• Do not wear high heels on your hardwood floor Spiked shoes exert approximately 1000 pounds per square inch floor

• Try to maintain an average humidity level of 45% in order to minimize the expansion and contraction in your floor • Use a recommended hardwood floor cleaner

If the environmental conditions are too humid, the laminate flooring may expand causing all edges (side and ends of boards) to press against each other and curl upwards Cupping of laminate strip flooring results from excessive moisture when the humidity below the finished flooring material is substantially higher than above

FLOOR SQUEAKS IN WOOD FLOORING

Extended low-humidity indoor environments can cause excessive shrinkage in the wood resulting in loose floor connections Excessive high-humidity indoor environment can cause expansion in the wood resulting in pressure-related floor squeaks

You must maintain indoor humidity levels to prevent excessive drying or expansion of materials. A permanent squeak-free

floor may not be attainable

CERAMIC & PORCELAIN TILE (Wall and Floor)

The list of maintenance instructions below will help you in keeping your flooring (and wall tile) clean and without mishap • Wipe up any spills on tile immediately and clean the area using a damp cloth or sponge • Sweep and/or vacuum floors regularly to remove any gritty particles, dust or debris as this can be abrasive to the tile surface

• Use a damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose household cleaner that is not oil-based and has low VOC to clean glazed floor tiles on a regular basis • Wipe glazed floor tiles (and wall tiles) periodically using a dampened cloth or sponge and a non oil-based household cleaner

• Use a mild, soapless detergent with neutral pH for cleaning unglazed tiles • Ensure the cleaning product selected is compatible with cleaning the grout joints • Thoroughly read & follow all manufacture warnings and instructions for all cleaning products before use and test all cleaning solutions and materials in a small inconspicuous area before full application • After using cleaning solutions, wipe down entire area with a clean cloth or mop and clear water to remove any residue that may have been left behind • Do not use cleaning wax, oil-based cleaners, ammonia, sealants or products containing acid or bleach as part of routine maintenance

• Avoid abrasive cleaning products such as scouring pads or steel wool pads • Regularly inspect tiles for any surface damage after any heavy loads fall onto the tiles • Use felt or rubber protective pads under furniture to prevent scratching tile surfaces • Place good quality floor mats in high traffic locations and areas that are susceptible to moisture (i e , near entrance/ exit ways)

CLEANING GROUT

• Routine grout cleaning can be done with an all-purpose household cleaner that is non-oil-based and has low VOC depending on the application • For periodic deep cleaning of grout, use a concentrated tile & grout cleaner • Look for a cleaner that has non-polluting chemicals and low VOC levels

• The cleaner should be capable of removing grease, soap scum, mildew and body oils • Always read and follow the instructions on the product label

• Rinse area with clear water and pat dry with a clean towel or sponge to remove any residue • Do not use acidic solutions / cleaners as part of a regular maintenance routine

CARPET

From the time your carpet is installed, the frequent use of an upright vacuum cleaner is recommended to clean your carpet Make sure it is equipped with beater bars or a tank/canister type of disposal for dirt and dust High traffic areas should be brushed with a pile groomer on a regular basis Carpeting is relatively easy to care for and a simple regular care plan will go far in maintaining the original appearance for many years To maintain the optimum appearance, the following procedures are recommended: • Instant removal of spills to prevent spots and stains • Daily maintenance of heavy traffic areas to pick up surface dirt and lint

• A thorough weekly vacuuming • For those who want the best appearance and longest performance from carpets or rugs, professional cleaning is recommended every year or two, depending on the appearance Please note that the use of professional carpet cleaners to address any type of spills is recommended for best results and the long-term preservation of carpet materials Some stains need special chemicals and procedures best handled by experts